Waiting game continues in the NFL for Penn State’s Christian Hackenberg

Penn State fans hoping or expecting to see Christian Hackenberg get NFL snaps in a game will have to wait.

NorthJersey.com‘s Andy Vasquez reports the New York Jets are taking their time with the rookie QB and that it’s unlikely Hackenberg will see playing time in Friday’s preseason game against Washington.

The Jets played three QBs in their first preseason game, a 17-13 win against Jacksonville — and Hackenberg wasn’t one of the three. Instead, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bryce Petty and Geno Smith got all the action, combining to go 18-for-32 for 228 yards and one TD (thrown by Smith).

Vasquez said Jets coach Todd Bowles wants Hackenberg to watch and learn. As for the QB position, Vasquez wrote:

Ryan Fitzpatrick is the unquestioned No. 1 starter, but he’s 33 and there’s no guarantee he’ll be here after this year. Geno Smith’s contract ends after this year, when it’s hard to imagine him still with the Jets. And Bryce Petty, a fourth round pick in 2015, is fighting for his job.

As the Jets’ second-round pick this year, Hackenberg will get his chance to make an impression — he has time to get ready for it. It just didn’t happen in the first preseason game and is unlikely to happen in the second, either. The Jets don’t want to rush the rookie.